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Judicial races in dire need of reform

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Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is right to propose reforms for how we elect judges in
this state. Her suggestions of holding judicial elections in odd-numbered years would help create
voter awareness of the importance and power of the judiciary in society.

In Ohio, our judges are politicians in the truest sense of the word. They court financial
supporters and find ways to reward them when elected. After all, judges have the last word in the
interpretation of all laws, as well as the Constitution. To think that their decisions do not
reflect the personal biases and prejudices of judges is the height of naivety and ignorance.

O’Connor also is accurate about the blind approval given to judicial candidates with Irish
surnames. Any warm-blooded lawyer whose name begins with “O”-something, “Mc”-something and “Mac”-
something is guaranteed an extra 25 percent of the vote. A surname of Kelly, Murphy or Gallagher
also won’t hurt.

Given the power we bestow upon judges, Hallett is right that some of them act as though they
are gods. And their IQs jump 50 points once they put on the black robe.